Supply Chain by the Numbers
   
 

- Nov. 11, 2010 -

   
 

Supply Chain by the Numbers for Week of Nov.11, 2010

   
 

Unbranded Chinese Cell Phone Growth Hurts Western Makers; Lean Cuisine's Fat Recall; UPS Ups Rates Big Time; Consumer Packaged Goods Moving On-Line Too

   
 
 
 

16%

The substantial drop in the global market share of branded cell phones in Q3, going from 83% of the market (by number of units) to 67%, as a wave of cheap, non-branded phones from China is roiling the market, according to new report from Gartner. These "white box" phones are very inexpensive and our selling briskly in developing economies. Nokia, Motorola and other branded makers are worried about this new threat.
 
 



 

4.9%

 

The rather ambitious plans for the net increase in most domestic and international shipments signaled this week by UPS, with the official announcement scheduled for Friday. Domestic ground parcel rates are rising 5.9% but with a fuel surcharge reduction of 1%. Domestic and international air shipment rates are rising 6.9% with a 2% drop in fuel surcharges. The number is a percentage point ahead of the net 3.9% increase for 2011 express shipments announced by rival FedEx in October.
 
 
880,00

Number of pounds of Lean Cuisine products that Nestle, the world's largest food company, had to recall earlier this year due to plastic pieces that showed up in some of the meals, costing Nestle millions. The number was revealed when Nestle filed a lawsuit last week against a supplier that appears to have caused the problem.

 
 
 
 
$300 million

The expected sales for 2010 by Diapers.com, Soap.com, and BeautyBar.com, as consumer packaged goods sales now also move on-line. That $300 million is well up from $180 million in 2009. This week, Amazon.com announced it was buying Quidsi, the parent company of all three sites, for some $545 million. Why didn't we think of that?

 
 
 
 
 
 
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